Month: April 2025

After the great blackout, everyone wants a smartphone with FM radio

The recent power outage that left Spain disconnected for an entire day has highlighted a feature that many modern smartphones have discarded: the FM radio. At a time when communications became critical, many users opted to turn to older devices to listen to the radio, as current models lack the necessary chip to tune into FM stations. Although the need for FM radio did not seem imperative, the blackout demonstrated its usefulness in emergency situations. Xiaomi and Motorola continue to offer FM radio Currently, the situation of […]

The recent power outage that left Spain disconnected for an entire day has highlighted a feature that many modern smartphones have discarded: the FM radio.

At a time when communications became critical, many users opted to turn to older devices to listen to the radio, as current ones lack the necessary chip to tune into FM stations.

Although the need for FM radio did not seem imperative, the blackout demonstrated its usefulness in emergency situations.

Xiaomi and Motorola continue to offer FM radio

Currently, the market situation is concerning, as most smartphones have eliminated this functionality, reflecting a trend to forget this feature. However, there are still exceptions in the market, specifically in the brands Xiaomi and Motorola, which offer devices with FM radio support.

The Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 tablet, although it is one of the most basic in its catalog, includes this functionality, becoming one of the few options available for those who need access to FM radio.

On the other hand, Motorola has also maintained support in some of its entry-level models, such as the Moto E15 and the Moto G35, although it seems to be a feature that is still in decline.

Despite their convenience, devices with FM radio face additional challenges, such as a lack of applications that support this feature and battery life issues.

As technology advances, support for FM radio has been relegated, along with the possibility of having a communication option in critical situations. Perhaps the recent crisis serves as a reminder of the importance of this means of communication, even if it is considered obsolete today.

Amazon Prime Video has an Oscar-winning movie that you haven't heard of and that you need to watch now

The acclaimed film “Nickel Boys” by director RaMell Ross, which has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, is now available on Prime Video. The film adaptation is based on the eponymous novel by Colson Whitehead, which received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. This literary background provides a significant and critical context to the story, which explores the harsh reality of life in a reform school during the Jim Crow era in Tallahassee, Florida. From the Pulitzer Prize to the big screen: the impact of Nickel Boys The plot revolves around Elwood Curtis, played by Ethan […]

The acclaimed film “Nickel Boys” by director RaMell Ross, which has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, is now available on Prime Video.

The film adaptation is based on the eponymous novel by Colson Whitehead, which received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize.

This literary background provides a significant and critical context to the story, which explores the harsh reality of life in a reform school during the Jim Crow era in Tallahassee, Florida.

From the Pulitzer Prize to the big screen: the impact of Nickel Boys

The plot revolves around Elwood Curtis, played by Ethan Herisse, a young man who is sent to the segregated Nickel Academy after being wrongfully accused of a crime.

In the academy, African American students suffer abuse and are forced into labor. Throughout his time in this hostile environment, Elwood forges a close friendship with Turner (Brandon Wilson), a more cynical classmate who helps him navigate this unjust world.

The film stands out for its innovative narrative approach, using a first-person perspective that immerses the viewer in the characters’ experience, thereby intensifying the emotional impact of the story.

Despite its avant-garde style, some critics suggest that the presentation can be difficult to follow in certain parts. However, many agree that its emotional goal is effectively achieved.

With a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Nickel Boys” has been praised for its aesthetics and its ability to capture the audience’s attention. The film has particularly resonated for its ability to connect the past with the present, offering a new dimension to this powerful narrative.

As this story of abuse and injustice unfolds, “Nickel Boys” stands out as an essential work of contemporary cinema, recommended for all Prime Video subscribers.

Meta's tactic to increase the user base of Threads raises doubts

Meta has decided to encourage the use of Threads, its microblogging platform, through Instagram, leveraging the vast user base of the latter. As the popularity of Threads has begun to decline after its initial launch, the company seeks to reactivate interest by motivating users to share Threads content in their Instagram stories. Threads users have started receiving suggestions to “Add this to your Instagram story,” designed to attract new users and foster interaction between both platforms. Instagram stories aim to boost interaction in […]

Meta has decided to encourage the use of Threads, its microblogging platform, through Instagram, leveraging the vast user base of the latter.

As the popularity of Threads has begun to wane following its initial launch, the company is looking to rekindle interest by encouraging users to share Threads content in their Instagram stories.

Threads users have started receiving suggestions to “Add this to your Instagram story,” designed to attract new users and encourage interaction between both platforms.

Instagram stories aim to boost interaction on Threads despite the conflict

This message, which appears during the creation of posts, seems to have the explicit intention of increasing the visibility of the posts, suggesting that by sharing on Instagram, one can get “more eyes on your posts.” However, this approach has raised doubts about its effectiveness, given the difference in purpose and style between the two social networks.

Surprisingly, a large part of the content shared on Threads may not be suitable for Instagram, which raises an internal conflict between the two platforms.

They are networks that, although they belong to the same conglomerate, have distinct characteristics and attract different audiences and types of content. While Instagram focuses more on curated images and videos, Threads tends to host more informal dialogues and quick opinions.

Although Meta has not made any official statement regarding this strategy, it is evident that the true goal behind these prompts is to increase the user base of Threads, rather than simply improving the visibility of existing posts.

The company seems to be in a race to revitalize interest in a social network that, after its meteoric launch, has taken a back seat in the current media ecosystem. This tactic could be seen as an attempt to consolidate its presence in a market where competition is fierce and constantly evolving.

The biggest influence of NieR and Nier Automata? Neon Genesis Evangelion

Yoko Taro, the renowned director of the Nier series, has revealed in a recent interview with Square Enix that his work has been heavily influenced by the iconic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. Taro has reiterated that his acclaimed video game saga, composed of Nier and Nier: Automata, is “practically a reimagining” of the themes and narratives presented in Hideaki Anno’s work. This connection between the works highlights the lasting impact that Evangelion has had on entertainment culture and on the way developers create complex stories and affect players. Yoko […]

Yoko Taro, the renowned director of the Nier series, has revealed in a recent interview with Square Enix that his work has been heavily influenced by the iconic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. Taro has reiterated that his acclaimed video game saga, consisting of Nier and Nier: Automata, is “practically a reimagining” of the themes and narratives presented in Hideaki Anno’s work. This connection between the works highlights the lasting impact that Evangelion has had on entertainment culture and on the way developers create complex stories that affect players.

Yoko Taro does not hide in everything that drinks from anime

In Nier, Taro set the narrative in a world where humans have disappeared, which led him to explore a plot that does not involve humanity, a creative decision that reflects his own insecurities and visions about existence. In his own words, although he feels satisfied with his work, he has also confessed that “perhaps I shouldn’t have annihilated humans so easily”. This reflection suggests a deep introspection about the direction of his stories and the emotional connection they can establish with players.

Additionally, Taro expressed his concern about the future of the video game industry in light of the advancement of artificial intelligence, suggesting that developers could lose their jobs and be considered “like bards” in the future. However, his comments were accompanied by a note of skepticism, as other creators, such as Kazutaka Kodaka from Danganronpa, argue that AI still cannot replicate the genuine creativity of a human being.

With his revelations, Taro not only sheds light on the creative process behind Nier, but also raises profound questions about the future direction of narrative in video games and the role of technology in art.

Monolight Productions has closed, but other studios could imitate their Némesis system

Introduced in 2014 with the game Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Monolith Productions’ Nemesis system has set a milestone in video game design by allowing enemies to exist within a hierarchy and remember previous interactions with the player. This innovative system has been the subject of discussion since Warner Bros. Games closed the studio this winter, leading many to think that players may have reached the end of their relationship with this unique mechanic for over a decade. A system that copyright will not prevent […]

Introduced in 2014 with the game Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Monolith Productions’ Nemesis system has marked a milestone in video game design by allowing enemies to exist within a hierarchy and remember previous interactions with the player. This innovative system has been a topic of discussion since Warner Bros. Games closed the studio this winter, leading many to think that players may have reached the end of their relationship with this unique mechanic for over a decade.

A system that copyright will not prevent from being used

Despite the uncertainty, industry experts have pointed out that the legacy of the Nemesis system could continue to influence future developments. Xalavier Nelson Jr., leader of the studio Strange Scaffold, commented in a recent interview that the patent of the system offers other designers a significant space to operate without infringing legal restrictions. He mentions that similar elements can be found in the Mercenaries system in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, which retains the idea of a hierarchical list of enemies, although it cannot replicate all the complexities of the original design due to the existing patent.

Scott Kelly, patent attorney, adds that the video game industry is built on prior ideas and suggests that developers can leverage aspects of the Nemesis system without infringing the patent. This flexibility offers hope that concepts inspired by Monolith’s mechanics will persist in future productions.

In a recent turn of events, Warner Bros. Games is working on a new intellectual property, following the cancellation of a Wonder Woman game. Although details are scarce, this new IP is expected to launch this year, which could present a new opportunity for the evolution of gaming in the ecosystem that once housed the innovative Nemesis system.

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The voiceover from Nintendo Direct has not managed to reserve a Nintendo Switch 2

In an unexpected turn of events, figures close to Nintendo such as Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, and Yuichi Nakamura, a prolific voice actor known for his work in Nintendo advertising, have had to enter the pre-order lottery to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 console. Despite their closeness to the company, both have discovered that there are no shortcuts in the quest for the coveted device. A hilarious rivalry The scene became especially comical when, after learning that Sakurai had managed to secure a pre-order, Nakamura expressed his desperation […]

In an unexpected turn of events, figures close to Nintendo such as Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, and Yuichi Nakamura, a prolific voice actor known for his work in Nintendo advertising, have had to enter the pre-order lottery to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 console. Despite their closeness to the company, both have found that there are no shortcuts in the quest for the coveted device.

A Hilarious Rivalry

The scenario became especially comical when, after learning that Sakurai had managed to secure a pre-order, Nakamura expressed his desperation on Twitter, joking that he would cut ties with anyone who got a console before him. This led to a back-and-forth, with references to the 1997 movie, Men in Black, that made a humorous rivalry between them evident. Sakurai commented, through a translator, that “it needs to be forgotten quickly,” referring to the Neuralyzer, the device that erases memories in the movie.

To put an end to this friendly dispute, Sakurai and Nakamura met to recreate a famous scene from Men in Black, where Sakurai used a karaoke microphone as a nod to the Neuralyzer, intending to neuralyze his friend. In a later post, Nakamura shared a melancholic image of a Nintendo Switch with a “2” written on the back, symbolizing his struggle to get one, which adds a layer of sadness to the story.

While Sakurai celebrated his success, other developers, including those linked to projects like the developer of Balatro, were still struggling to get their hands on the coveted console, creating a contrast between the joy of the pre-order and the disappointment among those who have not yet succeeded. This situation reveals not only the demand for the new hardware but also how even those at the top of the industry must face the same difficulties as the general public.

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YouTuber discovers that a drug in Oblivion could revolutionize the game's speedruns

The recent remastering of Oblivion has brought a significant change that has caught the attention of the gaming community, especially among speedrunning enthusiasts. The well-known YouTuber Bacon_ has discovered that the controversial Khajiiti drug, Skooma, can now stack up to 22 times, instead of the eight in the original version. This modification results in a spectacular temporary increase in speed and strength, which can take a character’s attributes to unexpected levels. Bug? Feature? A blessing for speedrunners The use of Skooma in Oblivion, a substance that momentarily increases speed and strength at the cost of […]

The recent remastering of Oblivion has brought a significant change that has caught the attention of the gaming community, especially among speedrunning enthusiasts. The well-known YouTuber Bacon_ has discovered that the controversial Khajiiti drug, Skooma, can now be stacked up to 22 times, instead of the eight in the original version. This modification results in a spectacular temporary increase in speed and strength, which can elevate a character’s attributes to unexpected levels.

Bug? Feature? Blessing for speedrunners

The use of Skooma in Oblivion, a substance that momentarily increases speed and strength at the cost of a permanent reduction in intelligence, has generated great cultural appeal in the Elder Scrolls series. With the new limit of 22 doses, players can achieve speed statistics that would reach 1,320 points, a surprising number considering that the attribute cap in the game is 100.

This change allows for faster and more efficient strategies in speedrunning, as players can cover huge distances in a short amount of time. Bacon_ demonstrated this speed by traveling from the Imperial City to Skingrad Castle in under a minute, comparing his journey to that of Saitama from One Punch Man.

The physics of the game, now implemented with Unreal Engine 5, also influences how Skooma behaves, providing more controlled handling compared to the absurd jumps of the original version. This change could be an intentional decision by the developers to align the use of Skooma with the new physical dynamics of the remaster.

Ultimately, although the increase in the Skooma limit may focus on gameplay and strategy, it also reflects the ongoing evolution of gaming culture, where every detail matters to the most dedicated players.

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Spain suffered a historic blackout as 15 gigawatts disappeared in 5 seconds

Spain has been facing a significant blackout since 12:32 AM, with a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts (GW) of electricity generation in just five seconds, representing approximately 60% of the country’s demand at that moment. According to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, 99% of the electricity supply has been restored by 8 AM today, showing significant progress in recovery, which was at 35% at 8:35 PM yesterday. The causes of the blackout are still under investigation. Sánchez reiterated that specialists are analyzing all […]

Spain has been facing a significant blackout since 12:32 AM, with a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts (GW) of electricity generation in just five seconds, which represents approximately 60% of the country’s demand at that moment.

According to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, 99% of the electricity supply has been restored as of 8 AM today, showing significant progress in recovery, which was at 35% at 8:35 PM yesterday.

The causes of the blackout are still under investigation. Sánchez reiterated that specialists are analyzing all possibilities, although the European Union has ruled out a cyberattack as the cause of the supply failure.

The EU rules out a cyberattack in the unprecedented blackout in Spain

This unprecedented incident has highlighted the vulnerability of the electrical system, where wind and photovoltaic power plants disconnected from the grid upon detecting a voltage dip, thus contributing to the loss of generation.

The recovery of the supply has not been uniform; yesterday there were autonomous communities that had reached up to 97% restoration, while others barely exceeded 15%.

In light of this situation, the Government has implemented level three of civil protection in several regions, recommending that educational centers remain open but without teaching activities.

Pedro Sánchez, in his appearance, emphasized that preventive measures are being taken to assist those municipalities where electricity may take longer to return. Today, energy has already been restored across Spanish territory by 99.95%.

Yoko Taro claims that Nier Automata has 26 endings because Square Enix wanted more content

Since its release, Nier Automata has captured the attention of players and critics for its innovative narrative and complex gameplay. One of the most notable elements of the game is its impressive number of endings, which totals 26. This approach, reminiscent of the philosophy of its predecessor Drakengard, was driven by the intervention of Square Enix, which requested PlatinumGames to add more content to the title. According to director Yoko Taro, this requirement arose in response to the need to make the game more appealing in a competitive market. Yoko Taro blames Square Enix […]

Since its release, Nier Automata has captured the attention of players and critics for its innovative narrative and complex gameplay. One of the standout elements of the game is its impressive number of endings, which totals 26. This approach, reminiscent of the philosophy of its predecessor Drakengard, was driven by the intervention of Square Enix, which requested PlatinumGames to add more content to the title. According to director Yoko Taro, this requirement arose in response to the need to make the game more appealing in a competitive market.

Yoko Taro blames Square Enix for the craziness of Nier Automata

During a recent interview on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the series, Taro revealed how, initially, Nier Automata contained fewer endings, but the development team was instructed to expand the player experience, resulting in the rich variety of outcomes found in the game. This decision not only enriches the narrative but also extends gameplay time, offering players various forms of interaction and rewards.

However, Taro also shared more serious concerns in recent interviews, expressing his worry about the impact of artificial intelligence on the video game development industry. The creator warned that, in the near future, developers could face the threat of losing their jobs due to automation, suggesting that they could be displaced and treated like minstrels in a context where human creativity is underestimated in favor of machines.

On the other hand, the head of PlayStation has praised Nier Automata as a savior of Japanese games in the international landscape. Despite this recognition, Taro was urged to focus on the Japanese market, reflecting the ongoing challenge of balancing local creativity with the demands of the global market.

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Splinter Cell: Blacklist receives an update 14 years after its release

After almost 12 years since its release, Splinter Cell: Blacklist has received a significant update: it now supports achievements on Steam. Ubisoft has implemented this new feature that allows players to earn achievements retroactively, making it easier for completionists to reach 100%. However, 19 achievements that depended on online services that are no longer available have also been removed, clearing the path for those looking to complete the game. Splinter Cell is not dead, just on a break. Splinter Cell: Blacklist, originally released in August 2013, is the last main title […]

After almost 12 years since its release, Splinter Cell: Blacklist has received a significant update: it now supports achievements on Steam. Ubisoft has implemented this new functionality that allows players to earn achievements retroactively, making it easier for completionists to reach 100%. However, 19 achievements that depended on online services that are no longer available have also been removed, clearing the path for those looking to complete the game.

Splinter Cell is not dead, just on a break

Splinter Cell: Blacklist, originally released in August 2013, is the latest main title in the stealth series that has made a mark in the video game industry. In December 2021, Ubisoft announced a remake of the original installment, which has sparked interest among fans. This project is being developed by Ubisoft Toronto, which previously worked on Blacklist and Far Cry 6. With the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Splinter Cell in 2022, the company revealed some details about the remake, including concept art and new AI behaviors for enemies, although since then, communication has been scarce.

In the realm of the Splinter Cell universe expansion, several projects were announced that did not come to fruition. A virtual reality title was canceled in 2022, but an audio series with eight episodes was released that same year. On the other hand, a movie based on the franchise that could have featured Tom Hardy as Sam Fisher was also canceled. However, fans can look forward to a series titled Splinter Cell: Deathwatch on Netflix, where Liev Schreiber will voice the iconic character instead of Michael Ironside.

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